Whether you want to raise a dairy barn full of milkers, one hundred meat goats for market, a herd of Angoras for mohair fiber, or a few Pygmies as pets, this book is for you. In this revised second edition, expert goat breeder Carol A. Amundson is back to give you everything you need to know about raising, caring for, breeding, and showing a fine herd of goats. You'll learn the popular breeds of North America, their mannerisms and benefits, as well as all the helpful DOs and DON'Ts for successfully raising goats. There is even a glossary of caprine terms and a list of breed associations for further education and research. Illustrated in full color, this guidebook is an indispensable resource for those who want to raise their own goats. Easy-to-follow tips help you: Choose the right breed for your needs Evaluate and purchase goats House and feed your herd Keep your herd healthy Breed goats and birth kids Show goats at fair or club events Market goats and their products Since 1928, the National FFA Organization-formerly known as Future Farmers of America-has been dedicated to agricultural education. Today, there are more than 490,000 members in over 7,000 chapters in all 50 states, as well as more than 5,000,000 alumni around the country.
The contents of this book were reviewed and approved by Dr. Clint Rusk, Purdue University Associate Professor of the Youth Development and Agricultural Education Department, in accordance with industry standards. Author Carol A. Amundson has been raising goats since 1989. Her articles have appeared in Goat Magazine and United Caprine News. The former editor of the Minnesota Dairy Goat Association newsletter, Gopher Goat Gossip, Carol served two terms on the MCGA Board. Her initial goal to have "a few chickens, ducks, two goats, and maybe a calf and a sheep or two" turned into over twenty years of goat husbandry experience. Those years involved building a grade A goat dairy, running a successful show string, and working at Poplar Hill, a 500-milker goat dairy.
As well as caring for approximately 100 goats (give or take a few) on her twenty-acre farm in Scandia, Minnesota, Carol works as a medical technologist at a local hospital.